Cats and water are well-known recipes for disaster. If you’ve ever had to wash a cat, you understand how much they hate it! Or do they? Ok, most of them do, but not all of them. There are some cats that like water. Want to know if your cat’s breed is one of them? Keep reading!
Why Don't Cats Like Water?
So, why are cats afraid of water? There are a few reasons why most cats aren’t fans of water. Some have to do with how cats have evolved and become the felines we know and love today, and some are purely practical reasons.
Moisture-Absorbent Coats
For most cats, their coat is designed to keep water in. When they get wet, it’s like when we get our jeans wet; it’s uncomfortable, makes it harder to move, and takes forever to dry! We complain about our jeans being soaked all day. Can you imagine what that feels like if you were wearing an entire outfit made of denim, hat, and shoes included? We would be miserable for weeks. This is what some cats experience when they get wet. Unpleasant!
Biological Instinct
According to PetMD, domestic cats' ancestors evolved in dry climates, being exposed only to water they would drink. Cats are both predators and partially prey animals, so unfamiliar things should often be avoided for animals that can be predated.
The Smell Theory
While we, as people, use our sense of sight as our most prominent sense, cats are more likely to explore their world using their sense of smell. Most of the information they get is from their noses. What happens when we wash them or get them wet? All that information gets washed down the drain. According to PetMD, cats don’t like their natural scent to be washed away (which they need for communication with other cats and defending their territory), and they then have to spend time cleaning themselves to bring their scent back.
Can Cats Swim?
Yes! Kitties can become water cats if they need to swim, and it’s been seen that during natural disasters like floods, our house cats will, begrudgingly, swim. Domestic cats are mostly built for running, jumping, and climbing, not swimming, so it’s not advised to take an untrained cat swimming; always look after your feline friend in case they tire out and need assistance.
What Cat Breeds Like to Swim
There are many cats that like water. From the slender Bengal to the ball of fluff that is the Norwegian Forest Cat, the range of cats that actually enjoy water is startling.
Bengal
For those not familiar, Bengal cats are a mix of domestic cats (usually the Egyptian Mau - more on those later!) and Asian Leopard cats. These cats are sweet, loyal, loving, and FULL of energy, which can make them challenging family pets. These cats adore water and enjoy swimming pools, baths, and even their owner's showers. Thanks to their wild heritage, they might also prefer to drink from running water instead of still water in a bowl.
Maine Coon
Being one of the largest cat domestic breeds doesn’t stop Main Coon’s from enjoying the water. Their fur also gives them an advantage over other cats when it comes to enjoying the water, as they have water-resistant fur. It’s also suggested that previous generations of Maine Coons lived on ships, making water a familiar sight for them.
Abyssinian
These cats are well known for being energetic but sweet cats, but also for enjoying the water. They will run and splash and play in it. It’s possible that this is owing to something in their heritage, but it is also possible that their love for water is owed to their very short coats.
British Shorthair
Maybe it’s not surprising that the cat named after a place known for rain wouldn’t mind water. Unlike most cats on this list, British shorthair cats don’t have super short or super long fur; instead, they have thick, plush coats.
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is quite similar to the Bengal in a lot of ways, including their short fur and their love for water. Some owners have reported their cats learning to turn on their faucets to get to water.
Norwegian Forest Cat
When you think of an animal that has to live in the cold and wet environments of snowy Norway, it’s probably no surprise that the Norwegian forest cat has thick, water-resistant fur. They would have needed this to keep warm and dry in their ancestral home.
Savannah
You wouldn’t expect a cat that has ancestry going back to African deserts would enjoy the water, but the Savannah cat can trace their roots back to the Serval, which are small African wildcats that live near water in Africa. Because of this it’s in their DNA to enjoy water.
Selkirk Rex
These calm kitties have a unique curly coat that is incredibly plush! They do seem to adore water, playing in water, drinking water, all of it. These cats need bathing to keep their special fur and skin clean, so if you’re ever running the bath you might just see this feline swim.
Burmese
Burmese cats have relatively short coats, which is one reason that these calm kitties may enjoy the water, but there is another reason: adaptability. These cats are known for being able to take it all in stride, but they may never LOVE regular baths.
Turkish Van
Not only do these cats like water, they are sometimes known as Turkish swimming cats. You can’t keep these cats out of water. Pools, baths, showers, toilets, rivers, if they can get to water, they will find a way to play in it!
There are many fascinating cat breeds and many interesting things you can learn about your cat. If you want to find out whether your cat is a water-loving breed, consider taking a cat DNA test. This test can reveal your cat's breed and show if they belong to those that typically enjoy water.
While most cats are not keen on water, that doesn’t mean they all hate it. If a cat is introduced to water as a kitten, they can learn to enjoy it, although some cats are more likely to enjoy being in water than others.
